There is little doubt that Sydney is a top holiday destination for our British cousins. For a visitor arriving from London, Sydney must seem heavenly with a beautiful harbour, endless summer sunshine and a pleasant climate. London is found on the same latitude as Moscow and Seattle, after all. Interesting to note then that convicts were originally transported to our shores as punishment more than two hundred years ago.
Both cities, however, do have some similarities. For instance, Sydney and London are a hub of their respective nations’ fashion, beauty, media and music industries. This convergence of exciting creative talent produces some of the world’s leading looks and sounds, from thriving underground scenes right through to mainstream commercial successes.
Fashion and hair are influenced, and can be influences on, events happening around them. Are the similarities between London and Sydney reflected in the hair and fashion of the locals?
“In London clients are after a change more frequently and it is very, very trend driven,” technical director for Brad Ngata Hair Direction, Hayley Mears says.
Mears tells myhairdressersearch that Sydney may be more conservative but “the great thing about Sydneysiders is they are definitely more realistic about their hair and its capabilities so they are happy to spend more time styling and maintaining their looks”.
Originally from Newcastle in New South Wales, Mears spent two very successful years in London after a stellar apprenticeship at Suki Hairdressing under the guidance of Sandy Chong.
“I was always drawn to hairdressing, but as soon as I started in the salon, I knew that I was making the right career move,” she says. “I loved the buzz of the salon, the client interaction and the constant creativity going on around me.”
Within four short months of arriving at the UK’s Goldwell Academy, Mears became the college’s academy educator. She soon found herself working alongside hairdressing greats such as Mark Hayes, artistic director of Vidal Sassoon.
"I love Mary-Kate Olsen's hair but lately it's not as amazing as it can be. She needs to get a lot of length back into it to give it a messier, just-rolled-out-of-bed-feel.”
She returned to Australia and has now been working with Brad Ngata for four years. Her work has appeared in Vogue, Famous and Who magazines not to mention Channel 7’s Make Me A Supermodel.
As well as working at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week, Mears educates up and coming colour technicians at Brad Ngata. To add to her already busy schedule, she also heads the team’s in-salon trend forecasting.
“Trend forecasting is all about research, looking ahead to European fashion, whether it is stocking up on Italian Vogue or spending time on style.com and watching what’s happening,” she explains.
The trend forecast for this coming winter is that colours will be warming up while the weather cools down outside. Blondes will be more golden teamed with pastel coppers. Browns will be deeper with lighter ends - a darker take on balliage. Coppers and reds will move away from solid looks and become more multi-tonal.
The looks seen from Hollywood’s A-list can also be an influence on trends.
“Our clients control a lot of where our looks come from by bringing in pictures and using celebrities as a guide,” Mears points out.
On the topic of celebrities, Mears bestows the honour of best red hair to Desperate Housewives glamazon and Melrose Place alumna Marcia Cross for always being immaculate from head to toe.
“She always has flawless make up which complements her amazing hair.”
Blake Lively is Mears’ pick for top blonde, with Rachel Bilson being best brunette. Mary-Kate Olsen is at the top of her wish list of celebrity hair clients, if she could get her hands on anyone’s tresses.
“I love her hair but lately it’s not amazing as it can be. I especially loved it when it had loads of gold and copper on it. She needs to get a lot of length back into it to give it a messier, just-rolled-out-of-bed-feel.”
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